VP leads cabinet to condole with Jonathan

Vice-President Namadi Sambo yesterday led members of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) to condole with President Goodluck Jonathan’s family on the death of Chief Meni Jonathan.

Sambo was received by the First Lady, Patience, and the matriarch of the Jonathan family, Madam Eunice, at the State House, Abuja.

He said: “It is a sad event; we felt it; this is a journey that all of us will embark on someday; to God we come, to God we’ll return.

“We are here to commiserate, condole and pray for the soul of our brother and that the Almighty God will fill the vacuum created by the deceased’s death. Please, accept our condolences.’’

The First Lady thanked the FEC members for their visit and said: “It’s quite sad that we lost my brother-in-law at a tender age.

“He was not old, this is the time the family needs him most, but we cannot question God. He knows best and knows why He took him at this time.

“I thank you on behalf of my husband, mother-in-law and the entire family.’’

The delegation included the Ministers of Education, Works, FCT (State) and Aviation.

A minute’s silence was observed by members of the FEC in honour of the late Meni.

President Jonathan has since left for Islamabad to attend the summit of Heads of State and Government of the Group of Eight Developing Nations (D-8).

According to Minister of Information Labaran Maku, the council weekly meeting, which was presided over by Vice-President Sambo, expressed sadness over the sudden death of Meni.

The Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) has condoled with President Jonathan.

In a statement issued in Lagos yesterday by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party said it was shocked and saddened by Meni’s untimely death.

‘’The death of any young and promising person is always a loss not only to his or her family, but to the country, which needs all the energy and creativity of its youths to achieve its potentials.

‘’We commiserate with President Jonathan and his family on this painful loss and pray that God will give them the strength and fortitude to overcome this difficult time. May He also grant repose to the soul of the departed,’’ ACN said.

The Northern States Governors Forum (NSGF) also condoled with President Jonathan, urging him to take heart and be strong.

The Chairman of the forum and Governor of Niger State, Dr. Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu, said the President should not be discouraged by Meni’s untimely death, but should forge ahead with the task of providing good leadership to Nigerians.

The condolence, contained in a statement signed by the forum Chairman’s Chief Press Secretary, Malam Danladi Ndayebo, said the best tribute the President can pay to the memory of his departed brother is to continue to touch more lives positively, as he has been doing.

It prayed to God to give President Jonathan and his family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss and to grant eternal rest to the soul of the departed.

Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State has also commiserated with President Jonathan.

In a condolence letter to the President, Oshiomhole said: “I received with shock, the news of the passing on of your younger brother, Chief Meni Jonathan.

“On behalf of the government and people of Edo State, I extend my deepest sympathy to Your Excellency, your family and the immediate family of the departed.

“I feel and share in your grief, especially given that Meni left us at a young age. But be comforted that he will be remembered for all he accomplished in such a short period as a wonderful person, great father, husband, brother and community leader.

“I pray that the Almighty God will give you the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.”

Bayelsa State Governor Henry Seriake Dickson also condoled with President Jonathan.

The deceased was the Chairman of the Otueke Council of Chiefs.

Governor Dickson, who led a delegation of senior citizens of the state to the Presidential Villa, prayed for Meni whom he described as a fine gentleman and a proud Bayelsan, owing to his commitment and dedication to the development of not just his community but Bayelsa State.

He prayed that God should grant the President and his family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.

The Acting Governor of Enugu State, Mr. Sunday Onyebuchi, has also condoled with President Jonathan.

He described the development as painful and regrettable.

Onyebuchi urged the President and his family to bear the loss with fortitude and prayed for the repose of the deceased’s soul.